Dr. Tara

Dr. Tara Suwinyattichaiporn was born in Thailand on September 6, 1988, and later relocated to the United States for her higher education. She obtained her Master’s degree in Human Communication Studies from California State University, Los Angeles. Following this, she earned a Ph.D. in Interpersonal Communication from the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication at Arizona State University. Her doctoral research focused on the critical role of empathetic communication within relationships. These academic pursuits provided the foundation for her career, which bridges rigorous research with public engagement in communication.

Currently, Dr. Tara serves as a tenured associate professor at California State University, Fullerton, a position she achieved at 32 years old. In this role, she teaches courses on Quantitative Research Methods, Sexual Communication, Interpersonal Communication Theories & Research, Relational Communication, and Online Communication and Personal Relationships. Her research expertise encompasses both quantitative and qualitative methods, including survey research, experimental designs, focus groups, interviews, and ethnography. Her work “Conceptualizing and Operationalizing Empathetic Expressions: Scale Development, Validation, and Message Evaluation” received a top paper award at the national communication association convention. She has secured five research-related grant awards between 2016 and 2019. Beyond her academic role, Dr. Tara actively organizes CSUF Civil Dialogue events, facilitating public forums on topics such as free speech, transgender laws, gun ownership, and immigration laws.

Dr. Tara extends her expertise beyond academia, providing sex and relationship advice through her social media platform, Luvbites.co, and various news media outlets including Cosmopolitan, Insider, Women’s Health Magazine, Men’s Health Magazine, and Tusk Magazine. She also co-authored a textbook titled “Sexual Communication: Research In Action.” Her media presence includes appearances as a dating expert on the British television series Celebs Go Dating, and she co-hosts the syndicated radio program “Loveline” on KROQ. In 2023, Dr. Tara married American painter Brent Estabrook.